Been a While!

Well it has been over a year since I posted anything to this blog. Not sure I should continue. I suspect there are no viewers as the link is may no longer be published. Let me know if you are reading this. Thanks for your help.

ON Jan 29, I will be heading off to Montauk for the weekend with a small group. Let me know if you would like to join the adventure. Recent reports from the area have included King Eider, Lark Sparrow, Razorbill, both murres, Snowy Owl, Barrow's Goldeneye, and other great birds. Thanks to Ron Knight for his great image.

Eagle Shot!
Was called in on Friday to make a statement on the eagle shooting! Holy cow! Do people still do that and in Connecticut? Education! Education! Education!

See story HERE.    AG

September Skies!

There have already been some outstanding evening skies this month. I was out last night and it was on fire! You really need some decent clouds to make for a good sunset, as cloudless evenings are really quite bland. Looks for those nights where change is happening with air masses and weather approaching from the west. Find that open view to the west and enjoy!

And this lovely sunset over Middletown a few nights ago!

Come By For a Visit!

My dear friend, traveler, and EcoTravel supporter Diana Atwood Johnson has been impressing the public for years with her bird and wildlife photography. In addition to being a talent behind the lens, she is also the author of a fabulous book titled “Swallow Tales” all about the avian phenomenon that appears nearly in her backyard every fall. Diana is a talented photographer and writer and we know you will fall in love with her work. There is no pressure to purchase a piece so please just stop by for some food, drink, and comaraderie while you enjoy the exhibit.

Diana has been kind enough to dedicate one night’s proceeds of her exhibit sales to benefit Connecticut Audubon Society EcoTravel when she and I will be co-hosting this wonderful event on Thursday, August 28^th 5:30-7:30pm. There will be both framed photographs and works on canvas ranging in size from 9” x 6” to 40” x 36”. The prices of these photographs are very reasonable and will make a fabulous accent to any home or office or make a great gift for your favorite nature enthusiast. As well as a variety of bird-themed pieces, Diana is also exhibiting her large mammal photographs taken while visiting Etosha National Park in Namibia.

We hope you will join us for this special event and if you cannot make it that evening, please take the time to stop by the exhibit at the Sill Gallery of Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts in Old Lyme (84 Lyme Street – Exit 70 off of Route 95). The Bird’s Eye View exhibit ends August 30^th.

Armchair Birding

I went out last night to listen for any in-flight migrants heading north over my yard with intentions of bolstering my yard list with a Solitary Sandpiper or something equally as fun. The skies were quiet, overcast, and looking a bit unfriendly. So, I went back in and turned on the TV to watch the final round of the NCAA National Golf Championship being held in Kansas. I like the golf but the big bonus is the birdsong in the background and it was the best I have ever heard! I called my buddy Jay Hand in Arizona, got him on the TV and we set out birding from our armchairs, in KANSAS. We tallied about 20 species including Summer Tanager and a Bell's Vireo. Not too bad! The question arose as to if hearing a bird through a live broadcast was legit birding, with the thought that it was just an electronic device like a super hearing aid. And, should we be posting our list on eBird? Makes sense to me! Oh, I am sure there could be some thoughts on this from the birding community! It was loads of fun birding with my buddy in Kansas (while he was in Arizona and I in Connecticut)! Give it a try and let me know how you do! If we could just get the commentators to stop talking, we could do so much better!  AG

Final Preparations for the "Chicken Run!"
I've started to think about packing as my co-leader and I prepare to head with a group to Colorado, visiting "chicken" leks including Lesser and Greater Prairie-Chicken, Greater Sage-Grouse, Gunnison Sage-Grouse, and Sharp-tailed Grouse. Dusky Grouse and White-tailed Ptarmigan are possibilities, too, the later found at elevation when driving from Denver to Vail via Loveland Pass at over 12,000 feet. It really is a grand adventure, touting spectacular mountain scenery flanked by inspirational prairie lands. We live in a great country that offers many off-the-beaten-path gems to explore. AG

Retailing
We have been expanding our services here at the EcoTravel office by ramping-up our optics sales and now carrying the NEW Second Edition of The Sibley Guide to the Birds. Give us a call if you need a binocular upgrade or would like more info an selecting the best binocular for your budget.

Our eagle boats are running, finally, after all the ice in the river has cleared. We will be extending the season to the end of April with numerous Eagle/Osprey cruises offered.

This weekend will be a busy one, attending a Sibley book signing in Mystic tonight, a Tanzania reunion party tomorrow, and giving a presentation on Cuba up in Pomfret, Sunday afternoon. Spring is coming!